Are aluminum MacBooks painted?

[ThomasJL]

Are the new aluminum MacBooks painted? Is that silver color paint, or is it just the color of unpainted aluminum?

[ipo]

Pay attention to the process !

http://www.apple.com/macbook/the-new-macbook/watch.html#small

[Capt Underpants]

Pay attention to the process !

http://www.apple.com/macbook/the-new-macbook/watch.html#small

Why not just answer his question? Is it really necessary for him to study the process?

To answer your question, no, they are not painted.

[QuarterSwede]

The reason the aluminum MB's are such a big deal is because they are milled out of one solid piece of aluminum. Definitely not painted and solid as a rock.

[seven.z]

i thought they are anodized ?

[Aea]

i thought they are anodized ?

Anodization is a process that strengthens the protective oxide layer of aluminum. This process can be done by a "paint" but that doesn't effect whether or not there's solid or layered aluminum underneath.

[QuarterSwede]

Anodization is a process that strengthens the protective oxide layer of aluminum. This process can be done by a "paint" but that doesn't effect whether or not there's solid or layered aluminum underneath.
It does affect whether it chips or not, like the older MacBook Pros or PowerBooks.

[cryonic49]

It does affect whether it chips or not, like the older MacBook Pros or PowerBooks.

I think he meant that stamped or milled aluminum are the same when it comes to anodizing..

And, yes there is no paint added during anodizing process for Apple's laptops. What you see is the natural aluminum color. It is, however, sand blasted before anodized, to create that matte texture feel.

Another thing is, Apple went for the cheaper form of anodizing. A real hard coat of anodizing is so hard (and scratch resistant) that it is second only to diamond!

So tempted to recoat my laptop...